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The Battalion
Friday, September25,11
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Group continues to battle Tilton
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS — A non-profit
foundation that has battled with
televangelist Robert Tilton since
last fall is asking media outlets
nationwide for equal time to re
spond to allegations in a show
produced by Tilton's ministry.
Stephen Gardner, an attorney
representing the Trinity Founda
tion and its president Ole Antho
ny, transmitted a letter late
Wednesday to 140 television sta
tions and networks that have
been airing Tilton's one-hour
show, "Prime Time Lies —
Anatomy of an Expose."
The letter contends statements
made in the show about the Trin
ity Foundation and Anthony are
Foundation urges media nationwide
for equal time to respond to allegations
Tilton's Tulsa, Okla.-based at
torney, J.C. Joyce did not imme
diately return a phone call from
The Associated Press.
libelous and slanderous.
Anthony contends Tilton's
ministry has tried to discredit
him "in the eyes of the public,
and most importantly in the eyes
of the legal authorities who are
investigating Robert Tilton" ever
since he helped ABC-TV's
"PrimeTime Live" with an un
flattering segment on the tele
vangelist's Farmers Branch min
istry.
"Basically we tried to ignore
these charges. If you haven't
seen Prime Time Lies, I hope you
don't. It's a terrible, terrible pro
gram and everything in it is a
lie," Anthony said.
Dan Moroso, executive pro
ducer of television ministry for
Tilton, said: "We expected this
sort of response from Mr. Antho
ny. The man lives in a state of de
nial. Everything that he says
publicly or does publicly to harm
the church, he then denies.
"The merit of the investigative
report that we did rests on the
truth. And that truth is well-doc
umented, with evidence, includ
ing his own testimony — written
and recorded — and we feel that
the viewers should decide where
the truth lies."
The media outlets have been
given until Wednesday to re
spond in writing to the request
for equal time, and more stations
possibly will receive the letter,
the foundation said. The founda
tion believes the show has been
airing since August.
A lawsuit is possible, Anthony
said, if the request is ignored.
In a statement read during a
Thursday news conference by
Harry Guetzlaff, a member of the
foundation's board of directors.
See Tilton/Page 3
Perot to put issues
in focus, son says
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Perot
Policeman recovers after being shot at school
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — A police officer
wounded last week during a
shooting at an elementary school
said he believes it was a blessing
he happened to be there when
the gunman opened fire.
Police Officer Lowell Nienast
was at Piney Point Elementary
School last Friday to present a
drug-awareness program when
a father apparently upset about
his son’s grades fired 14 shots on
the campus.
Nienast was shot twice, and
another officer called to the
scene also was wounded.
Calvin Charles Bell, 44, has
been charged in the shootings.
Clad in pajamas and robe and
sitting in his wheelchair at
Methodist Hospital, Nienast said
Wednesday that other law en
forcement officers would have
reacted the same way he did.
"They did great, the kids,"
Nienast said. ^I'm glad it was
me and not the kids/
Nienast, 29, a police officer for
seven years, said it was "kind of
a blessing I was there," since Fri
day's trip was for a special as
signment and not his regularly
ston.
Bell is being held in Harris
County Jail and has been or
dered to undergo a psychiatric
evaluation to determine if he is
fit to stand trial on two counts of
attempted capital murder and
three counts of aggravated as-
tion Medical Center for psychi
atric treatment.
The shooting has stunned the
suspect's family and friends,
who described Bell as a cheerful,
friendly, altruistic person who
participated in field trips at
school.
“They did great, the kids. I’m glad it was me
and not the kids.”
-Lowell Nienast
Houston Police Officer
He's never raised a hand.
Bell said.
erson.
Mrs.
scheduled day to be at the
school.
"I knew I was the onh
iiy one at
the building who could have
done something," he said. "I had
to do what I could do."
Nienast is expected to be re
leased in a couple of days and be
back at work in six weeks to two
months, said Dr. Robert John-
sault.
Earlier Wednesday, Bell's
brother, Benjamin Bell, and wife,
Beaula Pearlita Bell, apologized
for the shooting and pleaded for
compassion for Bell, saying he
was mentally unstable.
Bell's lawyer, George J. Pam-
ham, said the Vietnam veteran
previously had been hospital
ized at the Veteran's Administra-
The family said the rampage
may have occurred because Bell
quit taking an antidepressant
drug that the family could no
longer afford.
Until the shooting, Mrs. Bell
said she thought the medication
was sleeping pills and did not
know her husband was mentally
unstable.
"Our whole family has been
traumatized bv this. This is a
nightmare. I'm asking you to for-
g ive him . .. He is a decent guy,"
enjamin Bell said.
DALLAS — Ross Perot's sup
porters are telling volunteer lead
ers who will meet
with him Monday
they want him
back in the presi
dential race. But
Perot's son and
other associates
say his goal is not
to win the presi
dency but to force
the campaign
onto "the tough
issues."
In several interviews during the
past week, Perot has suggested he
would launch an active campaign
if supporters who put him on
state ballots want him to do so.
And Orson Swindle, national
coordinator for Perot's volunteer
organization, said Thursday that a
canvass he ordered of state offices
found plenty of backing if Perot
decides to run.
"This is not a token gesture,"
Swindle said on NBC's "Today"
show. "If he goes for the presi
dency, he goes for the presiden
cy."
But Perot's son, Ross Perot Jr.,
said his father's goal "is not to be
president of the United States."
"His goal is to fix the country,
fix some problems, to keep the
two candidates really focused in
on what the problems are," Perot
Jr. told KDFW-TV.
"And he wants to make sure
they can't avoid the tough is
sues."
Earlier this week, former media
adviser Jim Squires said Perot had
no illusions of winning the elec
tion, but might begin running ads
and making speeches in states
such as Texas and Florida, where
he might affect the outcome.
Perot's advertising consultant,
Murphy Martin, said the spots he
has prepared for Perot focus on
issues rather than the man.
Asked if the spots usefc
graphical material, Martina:
"That's not really the purpo»
We're talking about problemsr;I
face the country, how tosoltl
those problems and whocanl«|
do that."
When he was asked whefej
the spots say "Vote for Perot
Martin said, "They say what
necessary to relay the messaj
and that's all I can say."
Perot has scheduled meefe
with coordinators of his 50-sfc|
ballot access drive Mondayai
will appear that nightonW
"Larry King Live."
Swindle on Wednesday!:
dered state coordinators toaa|
petition signers if Perot
"run for president of the Unit
States and get on withitri
now?"
Some state groups made an
formal sweep but otherscontaf*,
ed hundreds of people. Forii
stance, Idaho leaders of Perot
organization. United WeStani
America, reported 3,000 respon
to its survey, nearly all in favor!
Perot joining the race, said Mat
Guidry in Boise.
The Connecticut chapter pol
Perot supporters by telephone.51
the 300 who responded by The
day afternoon, 86 percent's!:
they wanted Perot to get back
the race, said Dennis Schrauger!
Hartford.
In some other states, suchij
Texas and Tennessee, canvas':]
was not as systematic, leadfl
said.
"We've been calling aroori
asking people what they watt
ed," said Steve Fridrich, coorfc
tor in Nashville. "I'm hearingth
people want him to get in,
they want him to get ini:
in real soon."
There were discouragingwor:
from the former head ofPero:
petition drive in Illinois, howfve
"He had his one chance and*"'
teurishly Blew it/' said Davi;
Charlson.
Minister sues for damages
Preacher claims agency should not have revealed his name
Greyhound plans to close facilities
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — A Presbyterian minister has sued the
Texas Department of Human Services for telling a
couple that he expressed concerns about them in a
child abuse allegation.
The Rev. Ned Benson said he was asked to resign
as minister at Austin's First Presbyterian Church and
that his reputation was harmed because of the action
by DHS.
Benson said that if DHS doesn't protect the identi
ties of all who participate in child abuse investiga
tions then many people may be hesitant to help offi
cials in their work.
In April 1990, Benson told a child protective ser
vices specialist that he had concerns about a couple
in his congregation — a father and stepmother to
two small boys — who he knew were under investi
gation for abuse. Benson says he was assured that,
by law, his identity would be kept confidential.
But in October 1990, DHS gave the couple a 200-
page file with the names of people who had talked
to investigators about them.
In February 1991, the couple filed a $1 million
slander suit against Benson and the 650-member
church. They also instigated a formal church investi
gation of his actions. Soon after, Benson was asked
to resign.
The couple eventually dropped the suit against
Benson, and the suit against the congregation was
dismissed.
The church investigation of Benson ended in a no
fault finding.
But Benson says the state has harmed Iris reputa
tion and ability to earn a living.
He wants unspecified monetary damages as well
as a ruling requiring the agency to stop revealing the
names of informants in child abuse cases.
Texas law requires people to call state officials or
law enforcement whenever they have "cause to be
lieve that a child's physical or mental health or wel
fare has been or may be adversely affected by abuse
or neglect."
DHS brochures, in fact, state that "those who re
port abuse are promised confidentiality and immu
nity from civil or criminal prosecution" as long as
suspicions are reported "without malice."
DHS officials, while not commenting on specifics
of the case, did acknowledge exceptions to the confi
dentiality rules.
Essentially, those who call to report abuse are
guaranteed protection, unless a court orders the
name released.
If, however, a person's name has been given to in
vestigators as a reference, or what the agency calls
"a collateral source," that source's name and com
ments are available for public inspection.
in South Texas; legal actions ensue
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BROWNSVILLE — A South Texas bus company
says it will be forced out of business if Greyhound
Lines Inc. follows through with plans to evict the
line from terminals throughout the state.
Valley Transit Co. has filed an antitrust suit and is
asking a federal judge for a temporary restraining
order prohibiting Greyhound from closing its facili
ties to the Harlingen-based line at midnight Sept. 30.
If U.S. District Judge Filemon Vela grants the or
der at a hearing Friday, a second court date will like
ly be scheduled so VTC can seek a permanent in
junction, said company attorney Rene Oliveira.
The company, under the suit filed Wednesday,
also is peeking to prevent Greyhound from taking
future alleged monopolistic actions, such as unrea
sonably raising rent at facilities statewide, Oliveira
said.
Greyhound spokeswoman Elizabeth Dunn de
clined to comment Thursday on the suit, saying
company officials had not yet seen the pleadings.
VTC Senior Vice President Robert Farris said his
company, which provides intercity and commuter
service, would be crippled if it was locked out of ter
minals in Houston, Corpus Christi and San Antonio.
The company will quickly go bankrupt witte
the $2.9 million in annual revenue that comes fe:
providing connections with Greyhound-Trailw#
buses traveling to distant cities and states, accords
to an affidavit.
"It will also force us to layoff several hundredlt f
al, excellent employees .•. . ," Farris said.
Valley Transit handled more than two million^
sengers last year and served more than 70 commif
ties in Texas, Farris said.
He said VTC's passengers are primarily low-i
come Hispanic women without transportation,
VTC's fleet of buses include none over fouryes
old and all of its drivers speak both Englishaf ;
Spanish, reasons that many Rio Grande Valley#
dents prefer to use VTC for connecting trips towaj 1 '
cities, he said.
The lawsuit claims that since Greyhound bou|
out Trailways, it has abandoned many stops
South Texas, some on one or two days' notice.®
hound officials have accused VTC drivers of solid
ing passenger business in Houston, an alleged viot
tion of an operating agreement.
There have also been disputes over Greyhoi® 1
signs on VTC terminals and over package shippi 1 !
service, the lawsuit states.
The Battalion
ATLANTIS TILLMAN, Editor in Chief
STEVE O'BRIEN, Managing Editor
JASON LOUGHMAN, Opinion Editor
MEREDITH HARRISON, News editor
HEIDI SAUER, News Editor
GARY P. CARROLL, City Editor
CHRIS WHITLEY, Sports Editor
J. DOUGLAS FOSTER, Sports Editor
TODD BLACKMON, Arts & Entertainment RICHARD JAMES, Photo Editor
Editor
Staff Members
Reporters - Melody Dunne, Mark Evans, Todd Stone, Brandi Jordan, Cheryl Heller, Tanya Sasser, Robin
Goodpaster, Juli Phillips, Tanya Williams, Julie Chelkowski, Monique Lunsford, Mack Harrison and Will
Healy.
Copy editors - Kyle Burnett, Tracia Newbold, Jennifer Mentlick, David Thomas and Jennifer Smith.
Photographers - Darrin Hill, Randy Nichols, Sandra Alvarado, Billy Moran, Karl Stolleis and Robert Reed.
Lifestyles writers - Susan Owen, Anas Ben-Musa, Tricia Martinez and Julie Polston,
Sports writers- K. Lee Davis, Michael Plumer, Don Norwood and Ruly Medrano.
Columnists - Anthony LoBaido, Stacy Feducia, Dwayne Purvis, Shawn Ralston, Matt Dickerson, William
Harrison and Toni Garrard
Cartoonists - William Harrison, Thomas Deeney, George Nasr, and Clay Welch.
Clerks - Darra Dees, Jane Harvey, Shelley Rowton and Jamie Anderson.
The Battalion (DSPS 045-360) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring
semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except university holidays and exam
periods), at Texas A&M University. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77840.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, 230 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M
University, College Station, TX 77840.
News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in the Division of
Student Publications, a unit of the Department of Journalism. Editorial offices are in 013 Reed McDonald
Building. Newsroom phone number is 845-3316 Fax: 845-2647.
Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the Opinion Page staff or the contributor and do not
necessarily represent the opinions of the Texas A&M Battalion editors, student body, administration, faculty
or staff.
Advertising: For campus, local and national display advertising, call 845-2696. For classified advertising,
call 845-0569. Advertising offices are in 015 Reed McDonald and office hours are 8 a m. to 5 p.m. Monday
through Friday. Fax: 845-5408.
Subscriptions: Mail subscriptions are $20 per semester, $40 per school year and $50 per full year. To
charge by VISA or MasterCard, call 845-2611.
RESEARCH
Skin Infection Study
VIP Research is seeking individuals 12 years of age or older with
uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections. If you have a skin
infection, you may qualify for a four week research study using a currently
available antibiotic medication. Participants who qualify and complete
the study will be paid $200.
Genital Herpes Study
Individuals with genital herpes infection are being recruited for a 3 week
research study of an investigational anti-viral medication. If you would
like to find out more about this study, call VIP Research. $400 will be
paid to qualified volunteers who enroll and complete /uis study.
Acne Study
VIP Research is conducting an ACNE research study with a
reformulation of a currently available topical anti-acne medication in gel
form. If you are 13 to 40 years old and have mild-to-moderate facial
acne,you may qualify for this study and receive up to $150 for your
participation. No blood drawn.
CALL
Volunteers in Pharmaceutical Research, Inc.
776^1417
The B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation at Texas
wishes the Jewish Community a Healthy and Hapfj
New Year.
Everyone is invited to services conducted by Rabbi Peter Tarlow
Rosh Ha'Shanah Services at Texas A&M Hillel
Sunday Sept. 27-8 pm
Monday Sept. 28-10 am
Tuesday Sept. 29-10 am
Yom Kippur Services at Texas A&M Hillel
Tuesday Oct. 6-8 pm
Wednesday Oct. 7-10 am
College Station
B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation
(Jewish Student Center)
800 George Bush Dr.
696-7313
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